160 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



brought out when the hand, the ecraseur and the knife are withdrawn. 



After-Care — Sanitar.y quarters and a limited diet for several days con- 

 stitute the necessary after-care. 



HEIFER SPAYING. 



Objects and Indications — Heifers are spayed for the sole purpose of in- 

 creasing their desirability as beef animals. Spaying appears to modify or 

 alter the entire organism, especially as regards external symmetry and 

 muscular development. It is followed by a decided tendency to quicker 

 growth, and spayed heifers take on fat rapidly at anj^ age. Such animals 

 can be grown to maturity without the inconveniences of estrum and preg- 



l*lg. 147 — Spaying emasculator. 



nancy, and command the same price on the market as steers. They may 

 be allowed to mingle with other animals in the herd — including bulls — 

 with tlie assurance that pregnancy will not occur. The operation has been 

 practiced extensively on the western range for many years with gratifying 

 results. It should be encouraged and more widely practiced wherever beef 

 cattle are grown. As an economic operation its value is hard to overesti- 

 mate. It is indeed a simple and easy operation to perform, and is accom- 

 panied by a low mortality rate. Where once introduced its many merits 

 commend its more general practice. 



Age — The most preferable age is eight to twelve months, care being 

 taken to operate before the heifer becomes pregnant. 



Season — Spring and fall. Spaying should be done in the spring before 

 flies appear, or iu the fall after they disappear. It is not advisable to op- 

 erate during fly time. 



Preparation — "Withhold feed for twenty-four hours previous to operat- 



